I have booked myself, my daughter and my son at the Grand Hotel Minerve. We require a triple room since we all need a bed. But, it is 400 euros a night! After searching around, I realize there are probably better options. Does anyone have a recommendation for a centrally located hotel at less than what I will pay for the Minerve? Or is the Minerve worth the price? The reviews on this site and others highly recommended it for its location. We are doing the normal vatican, forum sightseeing but will need to walk to Pantheon, Trevi, spanish steps and elsewhere after each days sightseeing since we have only 4 days in Rome. However, one day is spent on a tour to Pompeii, the other a 1/2 day papal blessing tour. So, basically everything we do or see must be within the last 2 1/2 days. Location is key for us! Please help!

The Santa Chiara is across the street from the Minerve and has triple rooms at much less than what you are paying at the Minerve. Same with the Del Senato which is a block away and has a view of the Pantheon, at least until they start the restoration of the Pantheon's exterior. Other centrally located hotels include the Cesari, Nazionale and Raphael.

Most likely though , the only accommodation in the del Senato that sleeps 3 would be one of the two suites , and they were running 465Euro pre night.
Although with that comes a cute little terrace!

Try the hotel des artistes. www.hoteldesartistes.com

The del Senato has both triples and quads at lower rates than the 465E that they charge for the Senior Suite.

In March our family stayed in Hotel Dei Mellini and one of our rooms was a junior suite which accomodated 3. We paid 210 Euros per night but it might be more in the summer. The location is on the other side of the river near Ponte Cavour. We really liked the location as we found it very convenient for Saint Peter's, Piazza del Popolo as well as Piazza Navona and Piazza de Spagna. The hotel was great with great service.

Is an apartment, instead of a hotel, an option for you? If so, they will give you more room at a lower cost. Try www.romeaparthotels.com if you are interested.

Hi--when we stayed at the Santa Chiara, we had 2 rooms--a double for husband and me and a single for our son--. I don't know how old your son and daughter are but have you thought of the 2 room option? Chances are you would pay no more than what you currently have booked--singles can be a lot cheaper--and then there are *2* bathrooms instead of the 1 that a triple would have.

When is the Pantheon scheduled for restoration? Will it be closed during that time?

We had a double and a triple at the very central Hotel Nazionale a Montecitorio in Rome...This was June and high season...the double was 238 and the triple was 386...this was a deluxe triple, as the cheaper triples were already full...

Many people confuse this hotel with others that have similar names...There is only one Hotel Nazionale a Montecitorio that is located on the Piazza Montecitorio next to the national parliament. It is a very classy 4-star hotel and the price includes a filling breakfast buffet. The hotel is a very close walk to the Pantheon. www.nazionaleroma.it Good luck with your hotel search.

We would definitely stay at this hotel again as it was very comfortable and is surrounded by interesting things to see all within walking distance.

We also enjoyed the Nazionale a Montecitorio. Our group had five rooms, and they were all roomy and nice. The location is is excellent.

Byrd

A possible solution: Residenza Cellini has a beautiful suite, actually a large single room with a queen bed and a daybed. The bathroom is magnificent with a jacuszi and their breakfasts were about the bestfood we had in Italy. Plus they were the most friendly and helpful hoteliers we've ever encountered. For cash, the suite is 185E/night.

The location is so-so. The immediate area is just another shopping area that closes up at night. It's fairly convenient to the coliseum and forum and a block from a bus that goes to by Plaza Navona in about 10-15 min.

Thank you so much for all the options. I will check out the hotels recommended as well as the thought of booking 2 rooms. I just wasnt sure the Grand Hotel Minerve is worth the money just for the location itself. Thanks to all!

We stayed at Colonna Palace, also in Piazza di Monticitorio (across piazza from Hotel Nazionale). We had a triple room, which was large enough to accomodate us comfortably - corner room on 3rd floor overlooking the plaza. Excellent hotel - check the link below for some other comments on Pantheon area hotels, as well as some pics of the Colonna Palace.
Ken

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34515815

Regarding the hotel's location comments by cruiseluv about Hotel dei Mellini, they are very accurate.

I stayed at the sister hotel of de Mellini, Visconti Palace Hotel, a couple of blocks away. I liked the neighborhood, Prati, very much. It's is much more quiet than the Spanish Steps, Pantheon areas. However, it is not far at all to walk to these areas from Prati nor is it very far to walk to the Vatican.

I am researching a first trip to Italy and stumbled upon a site you may want to check out: http://www.b-b.rm.it. It is a search engine for b&b's and I am finding many that look very nice. Many have room configurations for a triple also, and are much less than the hotels I'm finding. I'm focusing on the ones that have multiple rooms, as I am less drawn to a single room in someone's home, but it looks like there are many options.

The Minerve has special package rates. We have a reservation for late September for 3 nights for a standard room for two for 267 euro, plus a standard room for one for 217 euro, per night. The package includes breakfast and one dinner, and is cheaper than their standard rate without breakfast,etc. Have you tried emailing them at [email protected] for a package rate?